Comments on: The Difference Between a Job and a Career

By: Career Outlook

Career Outlook — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:14:28 +0000

Excellent post, after a long time I have read something worthwhile about career

By: pam munro

pam munro — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:53:28 +0000

If we are lucky we have passions which lead to careers (mine is theatrical) – and if you are VERY lucky that leads to a well-paying position (mine has occasionally for very short periods). In the meantime someone like me has has many jobs just to make ends meet. Some of them have side benefits, as learning skills (for me it was business skills and typing and using computers) – hopefully if the money isn’t great, you are at least LEARNING something! And in this reapis changing world being diversified is a definite plus for survival!.

By: Mrs. P

Mrs. P — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:33:21 +0000

I think a job is the function you serve for a paycheck which could be related to your career or not. Whatever you are tasked to do, you should do it the best you can and put in the correct amount of heart and soul to ensure that the job is well done. If you are a french fry cook or the president, you are paid to do the job and do it to your best ability.

A career is a series of jobs that are related. Your career is going well if your jobs build on each other and your jobs continue to be interesting and economically rewarding. If you have a fairly long career, it’s likely that you will hold a variety of jobs. Most people crave opportunities for growth and learning.

I am a teacher. Before I was a college student then a secretary. I’ve also worked in the food industry and educational films and other kinds of jobs that weren’t really related to each other. Thankfully I learned a lot about the business world and computers and the information and experiences I gained helped me get more and better work. All of these experiences have been useful since becoming a teacher–now I teach career education.

By: Ms. Penny Pincher

Ms. Penny Pincher — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:07:19 +0000

Hi Trent,
I’m a first time poster but a long time reader. I really enjoy you blog :) I normally agree with your advice (except the one about the clothesline…We have one and it’s great!) but I have to heartily disagree with you on this one. The only difference between me and your example is that I work in a video store. I don’t see this as a career since I have no desire to become the manager but I do all those things you mentioned anyway (cleaning the store, asking a lot of questions, etc). I do this because I believe in doing the best job you can. We have a staff of about 20 people ranging in ages from 14 to 49; high school students, university students, and part-time working Moms and if they all took your advice of not putting in the effort then our store would fall to pieces. Thankfully most of them do their job and more because they take pride in a job well done. I think it sends the wrong message to the youth of today that it’s okay to stand around and do nothing since it’s “only” a job. If anything, they should be taught to have a stronger work ethic rather than a weaker one.

By: Mister E

Mister E — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:58:41 +0000

@nebula

I’m glad to hear it. Like I said, I’ve heard rumour of such people. Good luck to both of you!

By: nebula

nebula — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:49:06 +0000

I agree w/Jen’s definitions. As for Mr. E’s comments, I live w/someone who really does have a passion for what he does for a living (that’s how I know I’m not on the same level) and he doesn’t consider it a job or a career, to him, it’s his work and he would do it whether he was paid or not. The fact that some nice people pay him for it is a bonus to him! He’s talented at it, he’s educated for it, and he inspires everyone with his enduring enthusiasm for his field. Plus, he one of the happiest people I know!

By: Gayle

Gayle — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:09:14 +0000

(sic) “putting your ear to the grindstone” should read “nose” not “ear” = )

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:04:24 +0000

Here’s a thought:

Your job is the thing you do right now to earn money.

Your career is the series of jobs you do and the way they progress and relate to each other.

Your work is the thing you do throughout your life because it’s fulfilling.

You may have a job that’s only a discrete point in your career. Your work may have nothing to do with your career, even if it becomes a job at some point. If you’re really, really lucky, you will be able to combine all three.

(Have I confused anyone besides myself yet? Hee hee.)

By: M

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:38:56 +0000

Thanks thats just what I needed to pass on.
The lines between job and career can be blured, I don’t think Trent ever said if you work a job you shouldn’t care about how it’s done, but a job is just a job and I agree with Trent as I have seen people work themself to death for a paycheck in a job they will go no where in, for a boss who doesn’t care and make themselves sick about it. And there are lots of people who love their jobs, and thats great but it’s a job not your life.
“Save that investment for your family, your passions, or your career.” I’m going to use that.
Great comments everyone.
Great article.

By: Sharron

Sharron — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:02:38 +0000

Trent,
I enjoy reading your posts very much, but I’d like you to consider another category–vocation. Being the Lutheran that I am, I’ve always been inspired by Martin Luther’s writings on the sacredness of vocation–i.e. the life’s work we all do. And I’ve found, too, that all the seemingly random “jobs” and my career choice as a teacher, led to my ultimate vocation as a pastor and community organizer. It seems to me that all work, when done well and to the best of our abilities, is part of our vocation and done to the glory of our Creator, whether you refer to the Divine one as God, Allah, Spirit, or YHWH. Keep up the good work with your vocation as a writer. Thanks!

By: "Mo" Money

"Mo" Money — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:59:50 +0000

Good post. This would be good for all the grads to think about.

By: sara

sara — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:49:27 +0000

Every job I have had has thought me something, mostly that I don’t want a career. But the distinction is a bit artificial, I think; just look at all the commenters above who don’t give two figs about their career, and perhaps the people you know ( or don’t know- I happen to be one of them) who are happy & fulfilled in what Trent would call a job & do not plan on moving on to greener pastures, at least not on a regular basis.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:46:08 +0000

Dan Miller spends a chapter discussing “job”, “career”, and “vocation” in his “48 Days to the Work You Love”. I actually thought that it was one of the best chapters in the book as it made me truly look inward at what I had and what I wanted between those three.

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:17:18 +0000

This actually makes me feel better about how I approached my old job and how much energy I put into side projects like writing and blogging.

By: momof4

momof4 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:55:21 +0000

I don’t agree with you here at all. I can see value in the skills I learned and the connections I made at every empolyment opportunity.Also it feels to me that a “job” is something less because there is no status or title or opportunity to advance. I’m left with the impression that it’s okay to maybe do less than your best for just a job. There’s no shame in hard work done well, even if it just pays the bills and allows you to live the rest of your life. Not everyone wants the “career”

By: Melvin

Melvin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:21:18 +0000

Nice post… Finding a good career will be tough though… While getting a paycheck/job is not.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:17:07 +0000

All jobs should be part of your “career.” There is always something to be learned from any position. And, you can never predict how/when you will meet coworkers or customers in the future. It’s a small world.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:02:43 +0000

It’s pretty hard to nail down these definitions, concretely. A job is what we all do. Calling it a career implies that it’s a chosen path, rather than a time filler. I’ve worked for the same employer for 22 years, and at times it’s been exceptionally boring, at times, the best place on earth. Either way, the checks keep coming, 401(k) matching remains in place, and I get 25 days of paid vacation (in addition to 13 holidays) a year.

I’ve gotten other offers (higher paying, more exciting, etc.), but, it’s easier to stay. Sadly, I know that if I can just hang in another six years (no matter how good or bad it gets), I should be able to retire.

Is this a good way to live? For me, it works. In the mean-time, I’m kayaking, biking, hiking, and having some fun when I’m not at work. Once I retire, I’ll be able to do more kayaking, biking, and hiking, and will also volunteer (part-time) for a charity I work with today.

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:50:14 +0000

Unfortunately, most Americans are satisfied with a job, mundane or not, every day because they make money. And ultimately, many people feel it’s not so much how a job, or a career, fuels your passion if you’re not making as much money as the next job.

Me, I’m between jobs right now but in the same career.

By: Izabelle

Izabelle — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:32:51 +0000

I disagree with you, Trent. To me, the career is the forest, the jobs are the trees.

The job I have now (which I usually love and always work very hard at) is part of my career. The previous one, where putting in only the required energy would have been a fair sanity-saving strategy, was still part of the same career.The 4-day receptionist stint I had before that also counts because I learned from it things that I still use everyday.

If a job, no matter the glass ceiling or the lack of creative license, advances you towards achieving your greater plan (student job, anyone?), then why see it as anything less than a part of your career?